A charity that trains dogs to help disabled people cope with day-to-day tasks is celebrating a new leash of life ... and is hoping for an even better 2014.

Canine Partners teaches pooches to work with people who have special needs, enabling them to become more independent.

The four-legged friends are able to open and close doors and cupboards, as well as help with getting dressed.

The clever canines can even push lift buttons and put dirty clothes into the washing machine and take them back out.

Bosses have revealed they paired up a record-breaking 67 disabled people across the UK with pooches throughout 2013, bringing the total to 260.

Bryony White, who runs weekly puppy training classes in Paisley for the charity, said: “We are so very proud of the work we do to help people with disabilities by training such wonderful dogs but it’s only with all the support we have locally that we can help contribute to such a fabulous total.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the team in Paisley that works so hard all year round.”

Wilma Beith and her husband Steven, who both work at Glasgow Airport, are ‘puppy parents’ and help to train the animals.

She has been impressed by how dogs like her former protege, Xylo, can learn to pick up keys, phones, coins and even something as small as a credit card.

Wilma said: “We love being puppy parents and would recommend it to anyone who has a love of animals, as well as a bit of spare time on their hands.”

The charity’s CEO Andy Cook is delighted by the success of 2013.

He told us: “It is a fantastic feeling to have been able to change the lives of 67 disabled people by matching them up with our special assistance dogs last year and amazing to think that, as recently as 2005, we were only helping 12 disabled people a year.

“We have only been able to make such rapid progress because of the amazing help we receive from a whole army of volunteers and supporters, helping us to achieve our work.

“But there’s still a huge amount for us to do, if we are to get closer to meeting the demand that exists for our dogs, from people whose lives have often been turned upside-down by disability, and who are frequently lonely and isolated.

“We have big plans to help even more people in 2014.”

To find out more about Canine Partners, or to make a donation, go to www.caninepartners.org.uk

Canine Partners training sessions take place at the Scout hall at Martyrs’ Church, in Broomlands Street, Paisley.

Phone Bryony for times on 07826 695201 or email westscotland@caninepartners.org.uk